carbolic acid

noun

Examples of carbolic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even later, in the 1860s, the British surgeon Joseph Lister introduced the first sterile silk sutures, cleaned of contaminants using a solution of carbolic acid. Amy Paturel, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025 The Nazi guards then killed him with an injection of carbolic acid. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024 He was linked to the Cleveland Street male brothel scandal and the death of a suicidal chorus girl who swallowed carbolic acid. Jonathan Miles, Town & Country, 5 Sep. 2023 Chaotic scenes of firefighters using their spray pumps to cleanse the nation ensue, quarrels break out between officers and merchants, Turks and Christians alike refuse to be hosed with carbolic acid. Kaya Genç, The New Republic, 4 Apr. 2023 Itching during the drying up of the pustules is almost completely controlled by a soft ointment of beeswax and sweet oil, with a little tannin, opium, and carbolic acid incorporated, which has, moreover, the advantage of rendering the smell less disagreeable. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2021 At the time of his professorial appointment to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Halsted routinely relied on the use of antibacterial solutions of mercuric chloride and carbolic acid in the operating theatre. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 29 Aug. 2015 Documents also list the death of a teacher, Mary Lila Jenks, who died of an opium overdose in 1905 and a son of the superintendent, a 3-year-old who died after drinking a bottle of carbolic acid. Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 Aug. 2021 The third body was liberally washed in carbolic acid and covered with ice to be exhibited for visitors. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 25 Apr. 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary carb- + Latin oleum oil — more at oil

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carbolic acid was circa 1859

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carbolic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbolic%20acid. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

carbolic acid

noun
car·​bol·​ic acid
kär-ˌbäl-ik-
: phenol

Medical Definition

carbolic acid

noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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